Guardiola agrees new Barcelona deal

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2011.

The 39-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season, sparking speculation he could walk away.

However, president Joan Laporta has confirmed a deal has now been agreed that will see the former Barcelona player remain in charge.

“We had a meeting and Pep Guardiola told me he was committed to staying for at least one more season,” Laporta said at a news conference.

Guardiola took over from Dutchman Frank Rijkaard in June 2008 after being promoted from his job as coach of Barcelona’s B side.

The club’s former captain led the Catalan giants to unprecedented success in the 2008-09 season, helping them win the Champions League, Spanish league, the Kings Cup, the Spanish Supercup and the European Supercup.

“I know that sooner or later I will cease to be coach of Barca and I have to enjoy the time I’m here to the maximum,” explained Guardiola.

“A coach of Barca can’t be here for life just because… I think that you have sign for short periods in which the coach has to earn things, with the players, with the fans…

“I wanted to see if that was happening, if I had the support of the players, the board. Nowhere am I going to be as comfortable as I am here.”

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